The average Briton is called Smith, lives in a three-bedroom home and holidays in Spain, research shows.

They drive a Ford Fiesta, are nonsmokers, have accumulated £27,000 worth of belongings but prize their photographs most highly, according to insurer Norwich Union.

The group found that Smith is the most common surname in the UK, while the most popular house name is The Cottage and the High Street tops the poll for the most common street name.

They are likely to make a household insurance claim every seven years and 36 per cent of people consider their photographs to be their most prized possession. Twenty per cent opted for their computer or games console and seven per cent most valued their stereo or video.